Ferentz intends to continue at Iowa: We've 'built something very special here'
Head coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed his intention to remain at Iowa for the foreseeable future on Wednesday.
"While my immediate focus is on finishing the season strong, I love coaching and my intent is to continue coaching here at the University of Iowa," Ferentz said in statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We have built something very special here and I plan to coach until I am no longer passionate about the game, players or coaches."
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 2, 2023
The Hawkeyes' coach declined to give a definitive answer about his future during his press conference Tuesday.
"Things are as they always are, to worry about this game and bigger scale, bigger picture for these four games. That's where my focus has been this entire season. Obviously there was more than four games a week ago, two weeks ago. That's what I think about," Ferentz said.
Ferentz's statement comes just days after the school announced that it would not retain offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, his son, after the season. The younger Ferentz has served as the offensive play-caller dating back to 2017 and has been a member of his dad's staff since 2012.
The 40-year-old offensive coordinator signed an amended contract last offseason that required Iowa to average 25 points per game and reach seven wins. If the team failed to achieve those requirements, his contract wouldn't be renewed at the end of the 2023 season.
The Hawkeyes are averaging 19.5 points per game and have a 6-2 record with four games remaining in the regular season.
The 68-year-old Ferentz affirmed his desire to remain at Iowa on his radio show Wednesday.
"I enjoy coaching," Ferentz said on his radio show with Gary Dolphin, according to USA Today's Tyler Tachman. "Fortunately, I feel really good. The doctors tell me I'm OK; I hope they're right. I hope to keep doing this for quite a while. I’ve always loved being here."
Ferentz is the nation's longest-tenured coach, having coached Iowa since 1999. The Hawkeyes sport a 192-117 record under Ferentz, who's under contract with the school through 2030.